Sean C.

Retired from full-time teaching in July 2021. Have taught across the full spectrum of secondary education provision over thirty four years:

Head of Science at Leeds inner city comprehensive;

Four years teaching A level at Greenhead Sixth Form College, Huddersfield.

Thirteen years at The Grammar School at Leeds as both a Head of Year and teacher of Chemistry.

Worked for the OCR examination board between 1995 – 2015 marking A level papers and started this work again in November 2021. I now work for both the CAIE and AQA examination boards, marking both international AS and A level papers as well as A level papers sat in the UK.

Married with one daughter. Interests include golf, cycling and walking our beautiful border collie, Nellie. 

Enjoyed every day of my career and have thoroughly enjoyed working on a 1:1 basis with students during the last two and a half years.

Any lesson (in school or tutoring) requires thoughtful preparation, in terms of resources and knowing what is realistically achievable for the student in the time available. One has to consider the logical steps to be taken when trying to teach more difficult concepts.

Initially, my main objective is to develop a professional relationship by getting to know the student, understanding their aims and establishing expectations. Building their confidence and winning their trust is absolutely fundamental to successful outcomes. If a student senses you prepare properly and are transparently interested in them as individuals (as well as chemistry students) they are far more likely to enjoy the lessons and engage fully in the learning process. Teaching is all about relationships and everything flows from there. Without that commitment to invest in and get to know your students, in my humble but professional opinion, it is merely a ‘robotic’ process and will not lead to the best possible outcomes.